Tag: Shari Hardway Johnson

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

God, the Girdle and the Glory!

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girdle

Strange title I know, but an even a stranger story that pierced my soul this morning as I read it. Jeremiah, who was only about 17 when God called him, was known as the weeping prophet. He knew what God’s judgment would bring to Israel and no matter how he cried or warned the people would not listen. In one such warning God gave Jeremiah an illustration using a girdle; not one of our modern day vices that conceals our fluffiness, but a belt worn by a man.

Jeremiah 13 

1 Thus saith the Lord unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

2 So I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it on my loins.

3 And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying,

4 Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.

5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me.

It is said that the belt symbolized the close relationship that God desired with man. So Jeremiah did as he was told and hid the girdle in the hole in the rocks for many days until God told him to dig it up. When he dug up the belt, it was ruined; the scripture said it was good for nothing. God explained the illustration to Jeremiah in verses 10-11:

10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and ~     worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

I know that the prophecy is about Israel, but oh how our beloved America echoes their behavior. I’m not a doom and gloom personality. I love seeing the cup half full. But deed we make it hard. America was that girdle once upon a time that put God in His proper place, held tightly by a faith unwavering. He was written into the founding father’s plan for our nation only to be removed generations later by a leadership who has cowered to Godless religions that seek to destroy us from within. Well… that sounded a bit doomsday didn’t it?

But it’s true… they will not hear.

We were created in His image, for His glory. As Gentiles we were adopted into His family because the nation of Israel turned their back on Him and today we as a nation do the same. So what’s a gal to do? It appears we can’t fix Washington… or so Satan would have us believe. I will never give up on the possibility that God will turn us around again. But it’s going to take more than words.

It takes votes – November 4th

It takes valor – When the world says it’s acceptable, we have to stand our ground and say not it’s not.

It takes vigilance – we have to be on constant guard of what Satan is trying to do.

It takes vengeance – Not ours but Gods.

Please pray throughout the coming week.  Imagine if we viewed these next coming days like the wall of Jericho, and we march every day in silent prayer, and then come Tuesday we shout! We look at the ballot from God’s perspective and tear down the lies that Washington is hiding behind. It could really happen if we lived what we say we believe.

My prayer is that as a nation we bind God tightly around us and then wait for His Glory.

Posted in Life Inspiration

I know what you seek…

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Mark 1

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

I can’t imagine the weariness Christ felt as a man, even though He was God. People continually desiring healing and help and each time, as it said about the woman with the issue of blood in Chapter 5 of Mark that “Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?”

If they but touched his clothes healing occurred and he felt the virtue (power) leave His body; how draining that must have been when soul after soul required something. After a night where all the city had gathered at the door of Simon’s house because the fame of His ability had spread throughout the community, we find Him arising the next morning “a great while before day” and going to a place alone to talk to God. If Jesus Himself who was healthy and strong needed that time in the morning to power up for the day, how can we think we’ll survive without it.

I never thought about the health of Jesus until this morning. Yes He was human, and I guess the human side of Him could have caught a cold or the flu but if He had gotten a cold He would have just healed it. That’s not the case with us, our bodies die a little more daily, our strength weakens as life sucks the energy out of us. I take vitamins every day to try to get a jump start on all the bad things I suspect I’ll ingest the remainder of the day. I do the same with the Word of God. I need that morning boost. When they found Jesus they said “all men seek for thee.”

I believe that.

I believe that in the soul of every human being on earth there is something that seeks God. They can deny it… that’s okay, I won’t believe it. Because God created them and just as an infant seeks the parents that created it, so do we all seek the Creator.

Oh how I long to know Him deeper… that’s why I have to get up before the rest of the house, before all men, grandbabies, friends, neighbors, church folk, children and telemarketers seek me. They don’t seek me for the same thing they sought Jesus for, but it’s still tiring. I know I’ll need my strength today and so I am here; in Mark 1 desiring to start my day as Jesus did. Alone in prayer. I can’t heal people, or fix problems but I know the one Who can… no wonder the whole town showed up at Peter’s door.

Steal away today, and rejuvenate yourself in Jesus…Seek on friend.

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Parents: Here’s your sword and shield

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cross-sword-and-shield-md

Judges 5

7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.

8 They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord.

This post will be so not politically correct, but that’s okay… because it’s biblically correct. My frustration mounts in my community and country daily. I watch as person after person jumps on the bandwagon of politically correct nonsense and even in my little country home, the big city ways have made their way here. What once would have been unfathomable is now happening on the courthouse steps. I’m not a hater… I’m a God fearing woman who reads her bible and knows what the word of God says about homosexuality. It’s a sin. That’s it in a nutshell. So is lying, stealing, coveting, etc., etc., etc.! One is not greater or less than the other. 1 John 1:8 clearly says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” I won’t point my finger at a homosexual population and get on a religious high horse about their sin because I too am a sinner. I will however get on a platform and declare what God says, because He is not a sinner. He is a righteous and just God who will judge all men’s sins for what they are.

I want to arise a mother in West Virginia. (insert your State here)

That’s what Deborah did in her community, she took the reins. Should it have been a man? Yes. But where were they? And I ask in sincerity today, where are the men in our communities. I’m blessed to attend a church that has several men, but there are many absent husbands and fathers there too. There are many men absent in the homes as well. Often it is because of work, especially in our area where there are so many pipelining families and there is little choice for employment. So what then? What about those Dads?

As a mother in West Virginia I suggest you make the most of those few days you have at home and make church a priority without excuse. My own daughters have husbands who are gone much of the time, so I get the reality of trying to make a family work… I too raised my girls with an absentee husband much of the time because of his time in the fire department and EMS in addition to a regular job that consumed 40-60 hours a week. I really do get it. But there must be biblical foundation in your family if you want to be a greater influence than the world. Because right here in our little country community the influence of evil abounds and what we don’t want our children to see as the “norm” has become so.

Our schools spend far more time dealing with the corrupt than rewarding the good. So what has your child’s attention? In verse 8 of Judges 5 it asks the question “was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?” There wasn’t and there’s not a shield or sword in many of the homes in West Virginia, biblically speaking. Parents want good children,  and some do have them go to a christian school, as they are mindful of the education they receive. Then there’s others that argue they don’t have “time” to take their children to church on Sunday. Their influence is what they see happening in the school, on the courthouse steps, in the news and on the television shows that they’re permitted to watch. And then they ask, “Why can’t I get my child to behave.”

Because nobody else that they view is behaving either.

Please, share this with a young parent. And young parent… get that shield and sword out and protect your home.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Raisin Bran Theology

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raisin bran

Luke 18:25 (KJV)

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

For certain in this economy there’s not too many of us that have to worry about the eye of that needle, but whether a man have one dollar or a million he’s still at risk if his money lord’s over how he lives his life. A Tanzanian friend asked me about this verse this morning and I explained it as best I could in layman’s terms, but it caused me to dwell on the priorities of life. America is a blessed nation full of great wealth in comparison to much of the world’s standards. It is said if you have $20 in your pocket you are in the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the world; and while that may be an exaggeration, it may not.

As I cleaned out my refrigerator this week and installed filters from Samsung Water Filters & Icemakers. I also threw out dish after dish of disgusting left overs my soul was pricked at the waste. I threw away more food than many have to eat in a week. I jump in the car and run to the grocery store and give no thought to the gas or the market costs, or eat out on a whim what our parents once had to scrimp and save for weeks to do.

When I traveled to the Philippines and friend and I were eating at an American chain restaurant, Kenny Rogers Roasters, and as we sat by a window a small child came up to the glass with sad eyes and hands out requesting help and it broke our hearts! So my friend and I purchased a dinner and took it out to her and then came back in and sat down. We then watched in disbelief as two men came up and took most of her meal. We witnessed another girl attempt to prostitute herself, and when my friend tried to share the gospel with her and gave her some cash she went into a meltdown for fear the man who was using her as a business would think she was trying to get money for herself. Children, even toddlers ran the streets by themselves searching for food, bathing in potholes in the street living in lean-tos made of tin or under bridges in busy intersections. It was a culture shock and for a while stuck with me as a reminder not to take my life for granted. In Manila there were two sides of town, much like we know here. On the one side the poverty was evident, on the other walled in houses protected the homeowners from seeing any of the destitute people on the street.

Some days I have a wall around my heart not allowing it to see the needs of others or giving to the Lord as I should. I have my own needles eye I’m trying to get through. Not the one to Heaven, I am saved by the blood of Jesus with that promise within but I speak of the narrow way of walking with Christ. It’s a tight relationship… where you are walking so close to Him that the needles not an issue.

Today it is my prayer that you and I stay ever mindful of our stewardship to the Lord and His desires for our lives. His desires may mean we put ours aside in part or completely. It may mean pushing outside of our comfort zone and offering help to someone or it may be as simple as not buying that extravagant or not so extravagant thing. It will most likely be different for each of us. But as I prepare to go eat my bowl of Raisin Bran I hope I truly understand how blessed I am and I hope you are blessed.

Posted in Life Inspiration

What attitude are you bringing into the relationship?

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ruthlarge

Ruth 4:6

And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

I love the story of Ruth. I have yet to see a movie that could top the truth in God’s word. There’s intrigue, love and war, suspense, but here in the book of Ruth we have the story of my redemption. Unworthy to have been redeemed by God and accepted into the family as an adopted child, an heir to Heaven’s riches. Ruth was a poor Gentile, she brought nothing into the relationship except a good attitude. I hope I have brought a good attitude into my relationship with God because that’s all I have to offer.

Ruth’s kinsman had the right to marry her before Boaz, but because she was a poor woman, and he would possibly have children by her who would take away from his own children’s inheritance he opted out. Praise God my Savior did not opt out on me. Boaz, who loved Ruth, had to have been giddy inside when the man turned her down; Boaz could see the treasure within the woman of Ruth.

She had an attitude of Allegiance

How loyal a woman was she to have stayed with Naomi after their husbands had died. She was facing the worst poverty one could imagine, she was willing to accept by faith that Naomi’s God would see them through. The allegiance in relationships of today is nigh gone, is it not? Marriages begin with an attitude of separation potential, parents turn their backs on children and visa versa, loyalty to the church of God is dependent upon how much attention one gets and the value of your opinion. Oh to have the allegiance of Ruth to say in Ruth 1:16 ~  … Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

An attitude of Affection

Ruth simply loved. There was no accolades for what she was doing, she didn’t go into it with attitude she would surely be rewarded, yet that’s what happened. She just loved… she loved Naomi enough to leave her only family. She loved Boaz… In Ruth 3:7-9 we find love.

7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

She truly cared about Boaz and was ready to be his servant. She was following God’s providential guidance that would lead to her care, but she didn’t know that. At this point she was a willing servant. That’s the heart I desire, to to love and serve without knowledge of the end result but wisdom and discernment to understand that God is in it. That’s enough!

I pray God is made a part of your day and mine from start to finish. Thanks for spending time with the Lord and I for this little bit.

 

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

Heart Upgrade

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1 Samuel 10:9 – And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

A chapter before, that would make it Chapter 9 if you’re counting, Saul, the first appointed King over Israel had been chasing donkeys. He was a “goodlier” boy, so the Bible says.

“…there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he.” I Samuel 9:2.

And he was good because throughout this chapter we see Saul’s concern for his father’s donkeys that had run off and concern that his lengthy attempt to find them was going to cause his father to worry over him; and it did. But little did Saul know that the donkey adventure was a staged design of God to put him in contact with God’s man Samuel for the revealing of Saul’s call and a heart transplant.

Saul left home with a servant’s heart and returned with the heart of a leader. How does that happen without the proper education? Funny thing about the giver of knowledge… it’s His to give and requires no certification by a state or national agency.

I love the quote:

“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

I don’t know if Saul ever dreamt about being King. His reaction to Samuel’s announcement was one of great humility, “And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?” But something tells me that in the recesses of Saul’s mind was an untapped dream of what was to become reality. When Saul inquired of Samuel the Prophet as to the where abouts of his father’s donkeys, scripture says in verse 1 Samuel 9:19 “…go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.”  So somewhere in Saul’s heart must have been a grander idea about his life besides chasing donkeys.

When God called me into the ministry in 2010 my response was much like Saul’s… Who am I, Lord?” and then He reminded me of all the hopes and dreams I had had as a young girl but never allowed anyone to see. I had suppressed them into the recesses of my own heart so that when God brought them out he had to give me another heart. The old one was still there, but I needed an upgrade. Mine had been clouded with doubt, sin and fear, God couldn’t use that. To be in service to the King there has to be a level of bravery that I had never experienced in my life. Before this when I was put in front of people I’d go to pieces. But that day I had to leave the past behind and move forward with a different heart, a leaders heart.

The thing about being a leader is that you’re in the front! Even today I’m not comfortable with that, so I get why Saul hid “ among the stuff” when Samuel made the news public. (10:22) You know what God’s called you to do, others in tune to God know what God’s called you to do, but the general public know you as the donkey finder, the least of the least.

I believe God’s called a generation of leaders that are still hid among the stuff. God’s given you the heart upgrade, but you’re still unsure of stepping out into what God’s called you to do. I still have a tendency to get lost among the stuff. But the problem with that is if God’s leader isn’t in the lead… who is?

Everyday Satan tells me to go back to finding donkeys. I thought about that this morning and then thought about what a donkey is… it’s a beast of burden. I don’t need to find the donkeys, God carries my load. He’s called me to show the Light of the World to the people, not cart around the burdens of yesterday, or the doubt, sin or fear.

Posted in Life Inspiration

That’s my God!

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awesome-god.500

On shouting ground again this morning with the Word of God! Some days I’m just as apt to give God a sigh of frustration with the world here below. That was last night… Oh how my heart broken for God when I saw once on fire Christians now catering to a world who would who has not hope, and the unsaved looked at me as though I was to be pitied because I didn’t have the intellect to know that God does not exist. I watched as my fiddle case was examined by one such man as he read the verse from Psalm 100 that I have scribed across the case with a sharpie. He admired my penmanship but appeared not to know the Author. They attempt to play gospel music as though it were any other song, but they can’t. Ha! I love it, that’s my God. The One that shows up at the party uninvited and says “Hey, I created you. Don’t pity my girl Shari, you should be so lucky to have what she does.”

Whew Doggie! That’s my God!

Psalm 71 put me in this mode this morning. I was feeling a tad forlorn from the antics of my fellow pickers last night. They’re good people, please don’t miss understand. I wasn’t at some bar in the boonies… well I was in the boonies but not at a bar. It’s a friendly non-alcohol gathering of musicians that are wonderful, wonderful people… but there are a few who would rather God not come up in the conversation because it makes them extremely uncomfortable. It makes them uncomfortable because they don’t understand my God.

Read the “My’s of Psalm 71”. I encourage you to read the whole chapter it’s quite a read.

  • My Trust – (vs. 1) When the world has let you down, in Him you can depend.
  • My Strong Habitation – (vs. 3) When there no place that feels like home, He is there.
  • My Rock – (vs. 3) He’s solid and unmovable. There is no storm that can phase my God.
  • My Fortress – (vs. 3) On my ever side, even my blind side. God has me protected.
  • My God – (vs. 4) When I accepted Christ Jesus as my Savior in 1996
  • My Hope (vs. 5) Today is the anniversary of my Father’s death in 2003, but because of My Hope I’ll see Him again!
  • My Trust – (vs. 5) When my brother was killed at 19 and my Mother was asked why she didn’t blame God, she said how can I blame the only One who will allow me to see him again. That’s trust!!!
  • My Praise – (vs. 6) From before my birth God created me to be who I am and love His people the way I do. I’ll rejoice in every opportunity to serve Him.
  • My Strong Refuge – (vs. 7) That same purpose has on more than one occasion caused an attack on my life but in Him I have safety that no man can touch.
  • My God – (vs. 12) It bears repeating!
  • My Help – (vs. 12) Indeed this very morning he helped me out of the pit of despair the world had created and planted me back on shouting ground.

Oh, Read on weary Pilgrim, we serve an awesome God who’s there for you this day.

I love ya, hope I encouraged you. Be blessed Friend.

 PSALM 71 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Good Grief Charlie Brown

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I realized I was out numbered last night in the teen class when I ask a question about their favorite television classics. I watch very little television, preferring silence or a podcast of my favorite preachers, perhaps I’ll pick a little on the guitar or play the fiddle but upon the occasion that I decide I’d like to watch a movie or show, I spend more time scrolling through the guide than I do actually watch anything. I usually end up on DIY or HGTV channels because at least there I don’t have to put up with gore, drama, language or just plain idiocy.

I’m for certain dating myself, but when the commercials came on for the Halloween episode of “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,” my heart went pitter pat wondering if my grandbabies would find it as big a deal as I did as a child. We waited weeks with anticipation for those special TV nights when kids ruled! Today half the kids in America have their own TV and there’s a new cartoon on every hour. Wow… that’s really sad. Another example of excessive living taking away the wholesomeness of our youth.

The conversation in the teen class last night stemmed from the question “Why does it matter about the music or Television I entertain myself with?”

I gave them the verse Philippians 4:8~ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It’s really hard to think on those things when you have zombies screaming at you from the television, or a chick just got stabbed to death. Reality TV is not reality at all… or is it? Have we really gone that far as a world today? Even my beloved DIY shows have gotten ridiculous as spoiled brat couples are just SO STRESSED OUT because the million dollar home they toured had the wrong color tub. Oh my goodness, my stomach just seriously rolled over, and this is why I don’t watch television.

In the words of Charlie Brown, “Good Grief!”

I need a Philippians 4:8 day. I need things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, a good report and praise!!! I need good news! I know the world’s full of bad and I need to understand the dangers that are out there but I do not need to sit with my nose glued to the latest Ebola report or watch garbage on television that makes me treat every stranger as a suspect in a murder or go to bed with fearful thoughts.

I don’t care if Charlie Brown’s not cool. As much as I love the technology of today, there’s a part of me that longs for those Kool-aid and popcorn nights and the Great Pumpkin…

Posted in Life Inspiration

What a Verse!

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Hebrews 12:2 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2… What a verse!

I was looking for something to reign my mind in today. Yesterday was scattered, today began much the same. Technology glitches, a “to do” list a mile long, a desire to be a better child of God, wife, mother, servant… and my mind was reeling. The days seem shorter and shorter, I know there’s still 24 hours in them, but deed I don’t know where it goes. I’ve set in my heart to be a better steward of time, money, resources, etc…. Ha! Well you know who that torqued off. And he and I both know it’s no small feat; discouragement should be no problem. And it wasn’t. A few minor snafus and I went to bed with a headache and awoke with one. So I knew that I needed to gather my thoughts and refocus them on the Lord. Thus… Hebrews 12:2

What a verse! I know I said that but just think about the goodness packed in there. Let’s unpack it…

He Started it – He’s the Author of my soul

Looking unto Jesus the author

Wow! Before I was in the womb He knew me. That in itself can cause me to ponder for hours on what I was doing before I was born. Jeremiah 1:5 says – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. He wrote my story and nothing that happens in my day catches Him off guard or happens without His approval and for His glory. That’s good to know!

He Finished it – He has the final Word

finisher of our faith

When Christ said those words on the cross “It is finished” in John 19:30, what exactly was “it”? It was the ceremonial law that was finished. No more would man be accountable for his own salvation and Hallelujah, Glory to God for that! Man couldn’t keep the 10 laws from the days of Moses, how on earth were we going to keep the 613 man had added with it. It was now by faith alone that man could have access to the throne.

He Paid it – and was happy to!

Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

For the joy!!! He paid the price on the cross that we can’t even imagine to restore man’s relationship with God… and yet man treats God like a nosey neighbor interfering in their life. It’s hard to imagine why He tolerates us at all.

He Protects it

…and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

That plan that He began, He oversees every second of it. That good to know. That means when I get my sights off Him, His is never off of me.

Posted in Life Inspiration

The Games People Play

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Monkey-Cymbals

Another Monday following another Sunday; funny thing is they fall that way every week. It comes as no surprise and yet every Sunday I’m surprised by the people who think Sunday is merely a portal to a new week. They take serious that the Lord said it was a day of rest but consider the gospel as an option. My frustration mounts week after week, and yet I don’t do a whole lot about it either. I witness and warn but they take me about as serious as a tinkling cymbals on that monkey I remember as child. Goofy thing… it sticks in my mind this morning how he would clang the cymbals and dance around and serve no other purpose than making a noise. Even as a child I didn’t like useless noises, there had to be a purpose. Just like playing online casino games at , I believe, every time you play a game you must think that you have a purpose, in online casinos, is to win.

Have I turned into that dancing monkey?

I began writing today thinking that my focus was going to be on alleviating my frustrations with people who don’t attend church, and wouldn’t you know it God would turn that thing right around to me. Ha! He’s funny like that too.

Luke 7:32-35

They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Can you see it? A prime opportunity to get on my high horse and rail on people who laid out of church  yesterday and yet God said I’d just be like that monkey with the tinkling cymbals, all noise and of no useful purpose. While they may be playing games with eternity (a scary thought) making a lot of noise is not a way to get something accomplished, I’ve got to find a better way at getting through.

Jesus didn’t play their games but he did show up on their court. He went to where they were and showed Himself friendly not judgmental. He knew they were playing games, he knew they didn’t take eternity serious but when they needed Him He was there. I guess that’s my cue for the day, go to where they are and be the constant steady source for which the sinner see.

Be the one who cares. Be the one whose kind. Be the one whose wisdom is justified. The one that they look at and say I want that… that peace, that love, that understanding. No games, make Jesus real to them.